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JDI (Jones-Dilworth, Inc.)
We tell stories about science. We are writers, designers, PR pros, media buyers, and proven strategists.
Welcome to the May edition of our PD newsletter!
We're bringing you a wide array of resources and opportunities to expand your skills and knowledge in topics like curiosity and finesse to biomanufacturing and design.?
Here’s a preview of what we have in this issue:
?LEADERSHIP? |? CURIOSITY
The Curiosity Matrix: 9 Habits of Curious Minds
To inspire you in your efforts to be more curious, check out Ness Labs’ piece on the 9 habits of curious minds . In it you’ll read about habits like connected thinking, liminal creativity, compassionate thinking, and more. We encourage you to read through each of these, take inventory of how your habits stack up, and discover where you may want to nurture your curiosity.?
CRAFT? |? DESIGN
Interactive Typography Tutorial
Not long ago, we went through a whole JDI style guide refresh and fully embraced our love of IBM Plex Sans. But if you want to learn more about the logic behind great typography, go through Erik Kennedy’s interactive 5-minute tutorial . In it, you’ll learn some best practices, pick out some appropriate fonts, and develop a quick understanding of some useful design patterns.
SUBJECT MATTER? |? CREATIVE BIOSCIENCES
Beyond Steel Tanks
Read an excellent short essay from the first issue of biotech-focused Asimov Press outlining the current state, challenges, and opportunities in biomanufacturing . Authors Elliot Hershberg and Niko McCarty argue for a shift from traditional methods and factory-based production which have largely relied on steel tanks. Instead, the industry should experiment with more innovative and distributed approaches like cell-free technologies and molecular farming — all of which have shown promising evidence that biomanufacturing can indeed scale beyond steel tanks to meet growing demand.
LEADERSHIP? |? FINESSE
The Unspoken Skill of Finesse
Finesse is a challenging word to pin down. Wes Kao points out it’s something you know when you see it. She puts her own definition of finesse as a skill intimately tied to good judgment — in interacting with others (particularly in ambiguous situations), in handling sensitive dynamics, and in navigating delicate scenarios. Read more on how she suggests you can develop your own finesse and how doing so can lead to better client service.
CRAFT? |? ADVERTISING
Ad Composition Techniques
Shlomo Genchin of The Creative Marketer breaks down 15 ad composition techniques of top ad photographer Ale Burset . It’s a quick and fun way to dip your toes into ad creative essentials. And once you learn it, you’ll find yourself spotting these techniques in every ad you see.?
SUBJECT MATTER? |? SCIENCE
Explain That Stuff
Chris Woodford
Explain That Stuff is a great example of science communication done well. Put together as a passion project of Chris Woodford, longtime British science writer, Explain That Stuff is a wonderful collection of easy-to-understand explainers and guides to hundreds of scientific concepts. Here are some good places to start: nuclear fusion and fission , satellites , wind turbines , and quantum computing .
Upcoming Events
CRAFT? |? MARKETING
Marketing Mornings
领英推荐
When: Wed, May 8th? |? 8:00 am CST
Event Type: In person
Cost: Free
Join AMA Austin for their monthly morning meetup. Connect with other marketing pros, talk about emerging trends, and stay in the know on any new marketing opportunities. Austin AMA members get free treats, but nonmembers are always welcome.
SUBJECT MATTER? |? TECH
Technology, Disinformation, and Verification: Dangers & Solutions
When: May 14th |? 6:15 – 7:45 pm CST
Event Type: In person and Online
Cost: Free
Austin Forum's executive director Jay Boisseau will lead a panel discussion on combating misinformation and disinformation in the digital age. Experts in technology, communications, and human behavior will discuss the challenges and opportunities presented by social media, smart tech, and AI. You’ll hear how organizations are working to develop better practices and technologies to mitigate these threats and promote accurate, constructive dialogue.
CRAFT? |? MARKETING
Happy Hour - Data Driven Storytelling: How You Can Effectively Grow Your Audience
When: Tue, May 14th? |? 5:30 – 7:30 pm CST
Event Type: In person
Cost: Free for PRSA Austin and AAF Austin members? |? $25 for non-members
Join AMA Austin for their monthly morning meetup. Connect with other marketing pros, talk about emerging trends, and stay in the know on any new marketing opportunities. Austin AMA members get free treats, but nonmembers are always welcome.
What We're Reading
World of Wonders: In Praise of Fireflies, Whale Sharks, and Other Astonishments
"World of Wonders: In Praise of Fireflies, Whale Sharks, and Other Astonishments, " by Aimee Nezhukumatathil, is a vibrant tapestry of essays that blend musings on the natural world with Nezhukumatathil’s personal reflections on her experiences as a woman of color in America. Her prose stands out as warm and evocative, celebrating the beauty of nature, its inhabitants, and its capacity to teach and inspire us.?
It’s a beautiful example of storytelling, creativity, identity, and kinship through the lens of the world’s wonders. Check this book out for the lyrical writing, and definitely stay for the beautiful illustrations by Fumi Nakamura .
We’d love to hear from you if any of these resources have helped you grow or feel inspired. And if you’ve got any great ideas for future additions to our newsletter, don’t hesitate to pass those along as well.